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Wednesday Night:
 Get
a head count. Call everyone and confirm. Don't forget to ask
about dietary quirks (so you'll leave some stuffing out of
the bird for the vegetarians, etc.). While you're at it...
Get
everyone to bring something. You can go two routes here. Either
you make the bird and they bring everything else or you make
the food and they bring drinks and dessert. Either way, there
shouldn't be any whining because the other stuff is easy and
abundantly available this time of year.
Whatever your plan, tell everyone to bring a bottle of wine
or a six-pack. If you're just making a bird, then assign (nix
the duplicates if you're having a small crowd):
mashed
potatoes
mashed
potatoes
stuffing
rolls
rolls
veggies
dessert
dessert
Make
your grocery list.
Clean
out your fridge. You'll need room for groceries tonight and
beer tomorrow.
Hit
the store ASAP. DO
NOT BUY A FROZEN TURKEY. IT WILL NOT THAW IN TIME.
It might seem like it wil, but it just won't. Even if you
leave it out overnight and court samonella, it'll still be
frozen in the morning. Don't learn this the hard way. Buy
a fresh one. And don't forget:
a
disposable aluminium roasting pan, plus any other disposable
pans you might need (your grocery store will have one for
every occasion
one
of those roasting bags, if you really want to minimized
cleanup
napkins
or paper towels
ziplock
bags or disposable containers to send home/pack up leftovers
butter
cheese
and crackers, chips and dip, or some yummy prepared appetizer
to keep everyone quiet if you're running late
aspirin
and Alka-Seltzer
coffee
desserts
(2). It's way easier to buy them than make them.
flowers
(you'll look fancy)
Count
your chairs! If you don't have enough seating, have guests
bring extras.
Pick
up the house
Thanksgiving Day
Make
your bed. That's where the coats will go.
Set
the table or buffet before you start cooking. Put out glasses,
napkins, silverware, etc. Make space for people to put their
wine and any dishes they bring. You'll thank yourself later.
PREHEAT
THE OVEN. Everyone has a Thanksgiving story about forgetting
to turn on the oven.
Put
out the snack food. It will keep everyone from hovering around
you whining "When do we eat?"
Start
the turkey
Start
the sides. Peel potatoes, prep vegetables, assemble casserolesDrink
plenty of beer or wine as necessary to prevent stress
Take
out the turkey. While it's resting, pop in the rolls, mash
the potatoes, and take care of any last-minute stuff.
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